?\9 


UC-NRLF 


B    3    135    ED7 


03 


_J 


JAN  1^20,-v: 


Mays  For  Community  Christmas 


Bureau  ofUCommunity  Development 

UNIVERSITY  EXTENSION  DIVISION 

The  University  of  Wisconsin 

MADISON 


^y  N  1  V  P.  H  S  I  t  ' 


BULLETIN  OF  THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  WISCONSIN 
Serial  No.  1010.     General  Series  No.  794 


THREE  CHRISTMAS  PLAYS 

and  a 

TWELFTH  NIGHT  FESTIVAL 


THE  ELVES  AND  THE  SHOEMAKER 
(For  children) 

WHERE  LOVE  IS  GOD  IS 
(Far  young  people) 

HOLY  NIGHT 
(For  adults) 

TWELFTH  NIGHT  FESTIVITIES 

(For   the    community) 


W3II 

F 


[2] 


Bureau  of  Community  Development 

UNIVERSITY   EXTENSION    DIVISION 

The  University  of  Wisconsin 


Administrative  Staff 

Louis  E.  Eeber,  M.  S.,  Sc.  D., 
Dean,  University  Extension  Division 

William  Henry  Lightv,  Ph.B., 
Secretary,  Correspondence- Study  Department 

Edgar  B.  Gordon, 
Chief,  Bureau  of  Community  Development 


FOREWORD 


One  of  the  hopeful  signs  of  the  after-war  period  is 
the  greatly  increased  interest  in  all  kinds  of  community 
development  projects,  particularly  those  having  to  do 
with  the  general  welfare  and  the  human  side  of  com- 
munity life.  This  increased  interest  is  probably  due 
in  part  to  the  largely  increased  ability  to  engage  in  co- 
operative undertakings  which  were  developed  during 
the  war  period,  and  to  a  general  appreciation,  on  the 
part  of  all  thinking  people,  of  the  serious  social  and 
economic  crisis  which  is  confronting  our  country. 

Community  life  is  dependent  primarily  upon  the 
growth  of  this  spirit  of  cooperation.  The  accomplish- 
ment of  any  project  which  affects  the  interest  and  wel- 
fare of  the  entire  community  and  necessitates  the  elim- 
ination  of  the  natural  lines  of  division  which  are  oc- 

[  3  ] 


518301 


c      C  « 

«  <     « 


,*;;,.  c^siohed:  by  .']th^  bhiirclies,  lodges,  and  various  social 
groups  is  the  natural  method  whereby  community  de- 
velopment is  brought  about. 

During  the  past  few  months  practically  every  com- 
munity has  had  some  form  of  Home-coming  Celebra- 
tion for  its  returned  soldiers.  The  very  nature  of  this 
event  was  calculated  to  strike  a  responsive  chord  in  the 
hearts  of  practically  all,  and  as  a  result,  an  unusual 
degree  of  cooperation  was  manifested  in  carrying  it  out. 

One  of  the  most  attractive  types  of  community  co- 
operation is  that  of  the  community  Christmas  celebra- 
tion. The  spiritual  significance  of  the  Christmas  time, 
if  properly  emphasized,  contributes  to  the  general  spirit 
of  good-will  and  friendliness.  It  makes  an  admirable 
undertaking  with  which  to  begin  some  developments 
along  these  lines. 

The  four  little  plays  in  this  bulletin  were  written 
by  members  of  the  class  in  Community  Drama  and 
Pageantry  of  the  Summer  Session  of  the  University  of 
Wisconsin.  Each  play  endeavors  to  voice  the  Christ- 
mas spirit  in  some  special  way.  Some  form  of  non- 
sectarian  celebration  which  shall  utilize  material  such 
as  this,  together  with  music  by  special  groups  of  singers 
and  the  community  singing  of  well-known  Christmas 
carols,  will  make  an  admirable  Community  Christmas 
program. 

Upon  request,  this  Bureau  will  will  supply  a  special 
pamphlet  containing  suggestions  for  Community  Christ- 
mas celebrations  to  residents  of  the  state  of  Wisconsin 
free  of  charge.  Persons  living  outside  of  the  state  may 
procure  this  pamphlet  for  ten  cents  a  copy. 


[4] 


>  )  >  '  >   > 
)  >  >  '  '  • 


J       3  » 


'  >  3   »  > 
i   J  >    i      1   ■>  5 


THE  ELVES  AND  THE  SHOEMAKER 

A  dramatization  of  the  story  by  that  name  made  by  Von  Dona- 
hue and  L.  T.  Holmes. 

CHAEACTERS 

Mother  Beck 
,iC^fete!etiEK:Mal5jier  fathcj  Be*.^ 

I  Jevco 
Three  Elves    '  Echo 

(  He-echo 
Lisbet 

Lisbet's  Father 
Lisbet 's  Mother 

Neighbors  of  the  Becks:  Men  and  women,  boys 
and  girls,  as  many  as  are  desired. 

Note:  The  costuming  of  the  play  should  be  very  simple.  The 
three  elves  should  wear  tight  fitting  brown  suits  with  peeked 
caps.  They  should  be  very  sprightly  and  dance  about  all  the 
time. 

Setting:  The  settings  should  be  exceedingly  simple.  The 
l)laj^  has  been  designed  for  performance  in  the  schoolroom  or 
under  other  circumstances  where  little  in  the  way  of  stage  para- 
phernalia is  available.  Simple  screens  will  make  an  adequate 
background. 

Act  I. 

Scene  T. 

Father:      This  is  the  end,  mother. 

Mother:      The  end?     The  end  of  what? 

Father:  The  end  of  everything,  1  guess.  The  end  of  the 
leather — the  end  of  the  firewood — the  bread  (yoti^said  yourself 
at  supper-time)  and  the  ale — nearly  the  end  of  the  ale. 

Mother:  And  that's  the  worst  of  all — eh,  father.  The  end 
of  the  ale,  the  end  of  the  day  and  the  end  of  the  year.  Why 
tomorrow  will  be  Christmas  Day. 

Father:  Yes,  Christmas  Day — for  the  rich  ones  across  the 
way. 

r  5  ] 


Mother:  Why.  father,  father— I  uever  heard  you  speak  like 
4haf  before;  OE-ristmas  Day  is  for  everybody— the  rich  and  the 
poor  alike.  Christ  came  for  everybody,  didn't  He?  And  ^^•hat 
if  we  are  poor — why  father — 

Father:  You  don't  understand,  you  don't  understand.  We 
are  worse  than  poor,  we  are  destitute.  This  is  the  last  of  ray 
leather,  and  there  isn't  a  penny  in  the  house;  nobody  has 
bought  any  shoes  these  six  months  past.  I'm  getting  old  and 
my  eyes  and  fingers  aren't  clever  any  more.  You  7nust  under 
stand. 

Mother:      (Potting     and     comforting     him.)        There there 

there — there.     Some  way  will  come  to  us. 

Father:  Why  even  this  leather  is  too  small  for  the  pattern. 
See,  it  won't  fit. 

Mother:  Oh.  I  know,  I  know,  make  a  little  pair  of  child's 
shoes. 

Father:     Child's  shoes? 

Mother:  Yes,  child's  shoes.  I'll  color  them  red  with  worsted 
dye.  We'll  hang  them  in  the  window  and  somebody  (voices 
lit-ard  at  distance)  will  buy  them  for  Christmas — and — what's 
that?  It's  like  the  Holy  Angels — the  Angels  on  the  First 
Christmas — Oh,  it's  a  whole  troop  of  children  and  young  folks. 
Christmas  carols,  father.  How  beautiful!  Father,  they  are 
coming  here. 

(Enter  grovp  of  friends  and  neightors  singing.) 
(Songs:  First  Koel;  I  Saw  Three  Ships  a  Sailing;  HarJc,  I  Hear 
the  Angels  Sing;  0  Little  Town  of  Bethlehem;  God  Hest  Yr, 
Merry  Gentlemen,  or  any  other  Chri-stwos  songs.) 

First  Singer:  Mother  Beck,  Father  Beck,  we  conic  t(i  s!;!;; 
you  our  carols. 

Second  Singer:  We're  going  to  sing  them  every  night  und<v 
people 's   windows. 

Third  Singer:     Every  night  until  Christmas. 

All:      Sing  with  us,  dance  with  us. 

Father:     Oh,  I'm  too  old  to  dance  or  to  sing  either. 

Mother:  Xo,  you  aren't  father.  Your  spirit  must  be  young 
tonight.     Let's  dance  with  the  dear  young  things. 

Off  she  goes. 

A  Mumming  Dance. 

[6  ] 


(Neighbors  all  exit  laughing  and  calling  "Good  WieJie^,"  '''''A^ernj 

Christmas, ' '   etc.)  '         ' 

(Note:     The  dance  may  be  omitted  if  desired.) 

Father:  There  we've  spent  the  evening  in  foolishness  and 
the  shoes  are  not  sewed. 

Mother:  Father,  how  queer  you  are  lately.  Why  I  believe 
you  are  afraid  we'll  starve.  It's  been  a  beautiful  hour — come  to 
bed,  sleep — tomorrow  the  whole  world  will  be  changed.  Tomorrow 
there  will  be  a  customer. 

Father:     I  don't  know — I  don't  know. 

(LooJcs  hack  lingeringly  at  the  leather.) 

Scene  II. 

Enter  three  elves — Jeclco,  Echo,  Be-ccho. 
Jecko:     Here  is  work  to  do. 
Echo:     Work  to  do. 
Re-echo:     Lots  of  work  to  do. 

Jecko:     These   poor   old   Souls.      We'll   make    them   rich   and 
happy.     Work  fast  my  men. 
Echo:     Work  fast. 
Re-echo:     Work  very  fast. 

Jecko:     Red  shoes — they  said  they  must  be  red. 
Echo:     Red  shoes. 
Re-echo:     Bright  red  shoes. 
(Jecko   is   doing    magic   things  about   the  room) — Tai)s  icoodhnx 
and  says 

Woodbox,  woodbox  pour  out  sticks 
Elves   are   up   to   Christmas  tricks. 
(Sticks  are  throtvn  out.) 
Taps  tabic  saying 

Bread,  bread  come  out  table, 
Five  big  loaves  if  you're  able. 
(Five  loaves  of  bread  appear  on  table.     This  is  done  by  person 

hiding  behind  it.) 
Taps  a  keg.     In  the  top  of  this  keg  is  vinegar  and  by  a  sleight- 
of-hand  trick  he  throws  soda  in  saying, 
Magic — magic  never  fail 
Make  the  cask  produce  more  ale. 

[7  1 


^^ 


Echo;;     TJiejp.  '"  '. 

Efa-echO':  '  thefe'they  are. 

Jecko:  Well  done,  my  boys.  May  the  buyer  have  the  first 
wish  that  is  made  over  them.  Vanish  my  men.  I  hear  a  mortal 
stop. 

Echo:     AVe  vanish. 

Re  echo:     We  vanish  now. 

Act  it. 

Scene  I. 

(  Mother  Beck  euvluig  at  a  table.     Father  Beek  seated  hy  the  eoh- 
bler's  bench.     Little  red  shoes  hang  in  the  window.       Enter  a 
neighbor.) 
Neighbor:     Greetings — greetings    my    friends.      How    good    it 
smells  in  here. 

Father:     Yes,  yes,  we're  having  a  roast  for  supper,  kuchen, 
ami   pies,    Christmas  pies. 
—         Neighbor:     What  extravagance,  what  luxury. 
■1^     \       Father:      (Pompously.)    Oh,    with    money    in    one's    pocket    one 
can  afford  a  little  luxury  now  and  then. 

Neighbor:     Oh,  come  father,  tell  us  what  has  happened. 
Mother:     Yes — tell  him  what  has  happened. 
Father:      It's  the  most  mysterious — the  most  wonderful  thing 
vou  ever   heard  of.     Last   night  I  left  a   little  pair  of   shoes  cut 
(lilt  upon  my  berich,  and  tliis  morning  they  sat  here  finished  witii  a 
l;ii1(1  piece  in  o.';ch  toe  and  liere  they  are  for  sale. 
Neighbor:      Such  luck — such  a  queer  thing. 
(Sapping  at  door  stage  left.) 
Father:     Enter — Come  in. 

(Enter  a  man  and  a  beautiful  little  girl.) 
Customer:     How  much  are  the  little  red  shoes  in  the  window? 
Father:     (Eubbing  his  hands  together.)      Six  bits  to  you,   sir. 
Customer:     Only  six  bits?     Here's    a  gold  piece.     Keep   it, 
won  't  you  ?     I'm  sure  they  're  worth  it. 

Lisbet:     Yes,  they  are  just  what  I  want  for  Elsa.    Elsa  is  my 
I  eautiful  great  big  dolly.     These  shall  be  her  Christmas  present. 
(Mother  Beck  examining  the  little  girl  from  the  rear.) 

[8] 


Father:      A  gold  piece.     A  new  gold  piece. 
Neighbor:     My  conscience,  what  hick. 

(Customers  make  their  exit.) 
Mother:     La,  la,  wasn't  she  beautiful? 

Curtain 


Scene  II. 

I'ather:  (In  loud  whisper.)  The  leather  is  all  cut  for  two  nioiv^ 
l)airs.     Now  we'll  hide.     We'll  see  if  our  helper  comes  again. 

Mother:  Yes,  we'll  see  who  they  are.  They  must  be  elves 
or  fairies.     Elves  in  our  house,  father? 

(Father  and  Mother  hide.     Enter  elves.) 

Jecko:  Two  pairs  tonight.  I'll  help  too.  We'll  have  to 
hurry  boys. 

Echo :     We  '11  hurry. 

Re-echo:     We'll  liurry  fast. 

Jecko:      Shoes  are  finished. 

Echo:     All   finished. 

Re-echo:     Quite  finished. 

Jecko:  (Holding  up  -wand.)  Good  luck  to  the  wearer.  Good 
luck  to  the  good  old  inmates  of  this  house.  Gold  for  them.  May 
the  shoes  bring  the  first  wish  to  their  wearer. 

(Blotoing   kisses  and  turning  somersaults,   e.i-it   elres.) 

Father:      Gold,  more  gold. 

Mother:  Elves  in  our  house;  good  luck  to  oar  house.  Oh,  oh, 
father. 

Father:  And  two  beautiful  pairs  of  shoes,  and  gold,  gold — 1, 
2    3    4   5    6    7 

Mother:  But  father  these  poor  little  souls.  Did  you  sec 
their  ragged  clothes?     They  must  be  cold. 

Father:     Cold — elves  cold — Ha,  ha. 

Mother:  Yes,  cold.  I  know.  I'll  sew  them  some  warm  little 
clothes — today,  right  now  and  you  father,  you  make  three  pairs  of 
little  shoes  for  them.    Why  father,  they  are  barefooted  in  the  snou. 

[9  ] 


Father:  All  right,  all  right,  I'll  get  the  leather  and  you  get  tli  > 
liuth.  We'll  dress  the  little  beggars,  we'll  dress  them  up — ITm,  Iim. 
We  'II  dress  them  up. 

(Exit  Father  and  Mother  to  stage  left  and  right.) 

Curtain 


\ 


Act  III. 

At  Lisbet's  House. 

Lisbet's  Mother:     You  are  all  ready  for  bed,  dear? 
Lisbet:     Yes,  only  I  have  something  very,  very  important  to 
tend  to  first, 

Lisbet's  Mother:     Your  stocking? 

Lisbet:     Oh,  of  course,  my  stocking.     But  this  is  much  more 
i:iiportanter  still,  mother.     It's  a  letter  about  those  red  shoes. 
(Beading  letter) 

"Dear  Santa  Glaus: — 

You  know  Elsa  always  hangs  up  her  stocking.  The  red 
shoes  are  for  her,  I  hope  you  won 't  mind,  but  I  thought 
you  might  not  know. 

Your  always  friend, 

Lisbet. ' ' 

Now  mother  dear,  I'll  bring  them  all — all  the  dollies  for  Christ- 
mas, and  dear,  dear  Elsa.  Mother,  I  '11  never,  never,  never  love  ;niy 
of  my  children  the  way  I  love  Elsa.  There  now.  (  Oh,  mother  dear, 
jl  do  wish  those  beautiful  red  shoes  would  make  Elsa  dance  again 
as  she  used  to.  Beautiful  Elsa,  poor  Elsa.  She  hasn't  danced  for 
a  whole  year,  j  Now  children  you  all  sing  good-night  with  me. 

(Stands  hy  her  mother  and  sings,  "Now  the  Day  is  Over.") 

Mother:     Now  a   Christmas  song,  Lisbet.      (They  sing   "Bohi 
Night.")      (Lishet  Icisses  dolly.) 

Lisbet:     Good-night,     children.       Merry,     merry     Christmas. 
Good-night,  mother.  (Exit.) 

(Santa  Claus  enters  through  windMW  and  filtfi  stocldngs,  finds  r<d 
shoes,  roars  with  laughter,  examines  shoes  closely.) 

[10  ] 


Santa  Glaus:     Those  arc  odd  little  shoes — quite  wonderful — 
never  saw  any  just  like  those  before — let's  try  them  on. 
(Kha  hegins  io  dance.     Scmta  Claus  stands  iack  in  amazement, 
then  trys  iliem  vn  five  suecessive  dolls — eneli   doll  dances  in 
its  oivn  peculiar   ivay ;  negro  twins  present  a  prohlem   as  he 
wants  'both  dolls  to  dance  so  he  puts  one  on  each  foot  of  the 
dolls  and  they  dance.) 
(If  the  dolls  arc  placed  in  a  row  against  the  screen  or  bacl-groum!. 
they  may  be   made  to  dance  by  the  manipnlation  of  threads 
attached    to    the   dolls'    bodies,   operated    by    person    back   of 
screen.) 
Santa  Claus:     By  all  that's  wonderful.     That's  the  most  mn<- 
veluus  thing  I  ever  saw.  Where  did  they  come  from  I     What  wiz- 
ard  cobbler  made  themf     (Examines  inside  of  shoe  and  reads.) 
Here  it  is,  Hans  Christian  Beck.     T  wonder — I  wonder — I  have  it, 
I  '11  write  a  letter  too. 

"Dear  Hans  Christian  Beck: — - 

Will  you  please  make  me  three  hundred  pairs  of  little 
red  shoes  just  like  these  (I'll  underline  that,  "Just  like 
tliese'')  by  next  Christmas  eve  when  I  shall  call  for  them  .^ 
Will  pay  whatever  you  ask  for  them.  They  are  the  most 
\\onderful  shoes  in  the  world. 

y^-^y^,-^^-  Santa  Glaus. " 

Curtain 


-\ 


Act  IV. 


(Cloch's  striking   seven   as   Father   comes   ont   rubbing    eyes   <nid 
pidling  on  coat.) 
father:     The  little  clothes  are  gone. 

(Mother  rmis  in  tying   on  apron.)  yj-*^ 

Mother:      Yes,  they  took  them — they  liked  them.     I'm  so  glad. 
What's  this?     They've  left  something,  a  great  gold  horseshoe. 

Father:     Good  luck,  good  luck  to  our  house. 
(Loud  rap  at  the  door,  a  neighbor  breaks  in  with  a  big  basket  of      ^'    j  . 
,  apples.)  0-      ^.^■ 

Neighbor:     Merry   Christmas  dear   old  friends.  C.-^ 

(Another  comes  in  icith  a  little  trinwicd  Christmas  tree  and  sets  it 
up.     Other  friends  crowd  in  icishing  the  old  couple  "Merry 

[  11  ] 


Christinas."     All   s'unj   ''All    Jlail   to   the   Christ nuis    Tree") 
(Gaynor's  Song   Book — Ani/   Christmas  song    may    Ic    used.) 
(While  they  stand  or  sit,  singing,  Lislet  and  her_fatlier  come 
hurrying  in.  Lislet  hands  letter  to  Father  Beek.  Be  reads  it.) 
Father:     Reads  aloud. 
Mother:      Hans! 
Father:      Mother! 

Lisbet:  Here  are  Christmas  greetings.  The  little  shoes  are 
the  most  wonderful  shoes  in  the  world.  They  made  Elsa  daneo. 
Didn't  they  father? 

Lisbet's  Father:  Yes  dear.  We're  so  jjrateful  to  you.  Any- 
thing that   makes  her  happy,  you   know, — 

Mother:     Yes  we  know;   we  never  had  any  but  we  know. 
(Just  then  ojieelf  dashes  in  at  the  ■window,  one  at  the  door,  one  at 
the  fireplace.     They   kiss  Father  and  Mother  Beek  on    either 
cheek.) 

Jecko:      Thanks  for  tlie  (dothes. 

Echo:      Beautiful  clothes. 

Re-echo:     We  love  our  (dothes. 

Jecko:      Ten  years  younger  with  every  kiss.     Good  \nv\\,  fare 
well,  Merry  Christmas — farewell.      {Disappear.) 

All:  Oh,  oh,  oh — Mother  Beck,  Father  Beck,  take  off  your 
caps,  your  hair  is  black   again.     You  are  young  again. 

.Oh  how^  wonderful,  how  beautiful,  what  a  Merry,  Merry 
Uhiistnuis. 

(Klres   put    heads    hack    in    at    tlie    wi)idow.     All    join    liaiids   an'l 
dance  around  the  Christmas  tree  to  a  lively  tune.) 

Elves  say — A  Merry  Christmas — goodbye. 

Curtain 


[12  ] 


WHERE  LOVE  IS  GOD  IS— Tolstoy 

Dramatization  by  Sally  Knox  Boon 

Note:  Only  one  stag:e  setting-  is  needed — the  stage  so  ai- 
ranged  as  to  show  the  inside  of  a  cobbler's  shop,  and  the 
pavement   outside    the  shop. 

CHAEACTERS 

Martin  Avdeitch 
A  Pilgrim 

Stephanitch — the  Snow  Shoveler 
Two  Soldiers  and  a  Baker" 
A  Woman  Carrying  Her  Baby 
Granny — the  Market  Woman 
The  Boy 
A  Voice 

Act  I. 

Martin:  Woe  is  me!  woe  is  me!  Oh,  that  1  too  might  die! 
My  wife,  my  dear,  good  wife  is  dead,  and  my  little  Kapiton  has 
been  taken  away  from  me  by  God  's  cruel  hand.  Surely  my  God 
has  forsaken  me  for  he  has  taken  away  all  that  I  love — even  my 
dear  Kapiton  who  was  to  be  the  help,  the  comfort,  the  support  of 
my  old  age. 

(A  Icnocl:  at  the  door.     Enter  strong  ai'd  holy  man.) 

Martin:     Are  j'oti  to  bide  as  my  guest  or  may  I  lab'or  for  you? 

Pilgrim:  God  be  with  you  and  bless  your  labor.  T  am  a  pil 
glim  on  my  way  from  Froitsa  Monastery. 

Martin:  A  Pilgrim!  A  holy  man  and  what  brought  you  to 
my  door? 

Pilgrim:  T  have  been  a  pilgrim  these  past  eight  years.  T 
carry  neither  purse  nor  scrip  but  carry  the  message  of  the  bles^e>! 
Saviour  throughout  this  land. 

Martin:  Welcome  you  are  to  bide  as  my  guest;  but  the  Lord 
could  not  have  sent  you  to  me  lor  He  has  forsaken  me. 

Pilgrim:  The  Lord  is  mindful  of  his  ow7i  and  He  remembers 
His  children. 

[  13  ] 


Martin:  All  I  ask  of  God  is  that  I  soon  may  die,  T  no  longer 
^visll  to  live,  holy  man.     I  am  now  quite  without  hope  in  the  Avorld. 

Pilgrim:  You  have  no  right  to  say  such  things,  Martin.  We 
iHuuot  judge  God  's  ways.  Not  our  reasoning  but  God  's  will  de- 
cides. If  God  willed  that  your  son  should  die  and  you  should  live,' 
it  nuist  be  be.^t  so.  As  to  your  despair — that  comes  be'.-aui-e  you 
wish  to  live  for  your  own  happiness. 

Martin:      What  else  should  one  live  for? 

Pilgrim:  For  God,  Martin.  He  gives  you  life,  iuid  you  nius*- 
live  for  Him.  When  you  have  learnt  to  live  for  Him  you  will 
grieve  no  more,  and  all  will  seem  easy  to  you. 

Martin:     But  how^  is  one  to  live  for  God? 

Pilgrim:  How  one  may  live  for  God  has  been  shown  us  by 
Christ.  Can  you  read,  Martin?  Bring  hither  your  Testament. 
You  will  find  it  all  there. 

Martin:  (Bringing  ihe  Testament,  began  to  rra,]  where  the 
Boole  opened.)     Luke's  Gospel — 

"To  him  that  smiteth  thee  on  one  cheek  offer  also  tlie  other; 
and  from  him  tliat  taketh  away  tiiy  cloak  withhold  not  tliy  coat 
also.  Give  to  every  ]nan  that  asketli  thee;  and  of  him  that  taketh 
away  thy  goods  ask  them  not  again.  And  as  ye  would  that  men 
should  do  to  you,  do  ye  also  to  them  likewise. ' ' 

Pilgrim:  And  Martin,  the  Book  further  says  ''A)id  why  call 
ye  me  Lord,  Lord,  and  do  not  the  things  which  I  say?"  Thou 
knowest  the  parable  of  the  house  built  upon  sand.  Build  thy 
house,  Martin,  upon  a  rock  and  when  the  floods  come,  and  the 
stream  beats  against  it,  it  cannot  be  shaken. 

Martin:  (Taking' off  spectacles,  layvng  them  on  the  Bihje, 
leans  his  head  upon  his  hands  and  to  himself  says.)  Is  my  house 
built  upon  the  rock,  or  on  sand?  If  it  stands  on  the  rock  it  is 
well.  It  seems  easy  enough  while  one  sits  here  alone,  and  one 
thinks  one  has  done  all  that  God  commands;  but  as  soon  as  I  cease 
to  be  on  my  guard  I  sin  again.  Still  T  will  persevere.  Help  me, 
O  Lord. 

Pilgrim:  Pray,  Martin— Pray  that  the  Lord  may  be  thy 
guest,  and  that  like  the  penitent  woman  you  may  wet  His  feet 
with   tears  of  repentance,  and   anoint  His  head  with  oil. 

Martin:  I  must  be  like  the  Pharisee.  He,  too,  thought  only 
of  himself,  how  to  get  a  cup  of  tea,  how  to  keep  warm  and  com- 
fortable;  never  a  thougiit  of  his  guest.     He  took  care  of  himself, 

[  14  ] 


but  for  his  guest  he  cared  nothing  at  all.  Yet  who  was  the  guest? 
The  Lord  himself.     If  He  came  to  me,  should  I  behave  like  that? 

Pilgrim:  My  way  is  long,  Martin,  and  I  must  be  about  my 
Master  's  business.  The  Christmastide  is  at  hand  and  as  thy  little 
Kapiton  is  with  God — pray  that  the  Clirist  Child  may  be  thy 
guest.     (Exits.) 

Martin:  (Sits  at  Im  table — his  head  rests  upon  his  hand  and 
he  falls  asleep.) 

Voice:     Martin — Martin. 

Martin.     Who's  there? 

Voice:  Martin,  Martin.  Look  out  into  the  street  tomorrow, 
for  I  shall  come. 

Act  II. 

(The  next  day.  Martin  is  busy  preparing  cabbage  soup  and  buclc- 
irheat  porridge,  lit  his  samovar — put  on  his  apron  and  sat  ai 
his  window  worlcing.     He  talJcs  to  himself.) 

Martin;  Yes,  such  things  have  happened  before — why  not 
again.  (He  lools  up  and  sees  Stephanitch,  an  old  man,  clearing 
atvay  the  snow.)  I  must  be  growing  crazy  with  age.  Stephanitch 
comes  to  clear  away  the  snow,  and  I  must  needs  imagine  it 's 
Christ  coming  to  visit  me  this  Christmastide.  Old  dotard  that  T 
am!  (He  takes  a  few  stitches  and  falls  to  thinking.)  What  if  T 
called  Stephanitch  in  and  gave  him  some  tea?  The  samovar  is  just 
on  the  boil.  (He  taps  on  the  ivindow  and  beckons  Stephanitch  in.) 
Come  in,  come  in,  and  warm  yourself  a  bit.  I  am  sure  you  must 
be  cold. 

Stephan:  May  God  bless  you!  My  bones  do  ache  to  be  sure. 
(He  began  to  wipe  his  feet,  and  totters.) 

Martin:  Don't  trouble  to  wipe  your  feet,  I'll  wipe  up  the 
floor — it's  all  in  a  day's  work.  Come,  friend,  sit  down  and  have 
some  tea.  (They  sit  doivn — pouring  the  tea  in  saucers.  Stephan- 
itch drinks  his  off  and  turns  the  glass  upside  down.)  Have  an- 
other glass,  Stephanitch.  (Martin  keeps  looking  out  into  the  street.) 

Stephan:     Are  you  expecting  any  one? 

Martin:  Am  I  expecting  any  one?  Well,  now,  I  am  ashamed 
to  tell  you.  It  is  not  that  I  really  expect  any  one,  but  I  heard 
something  last  night  which  I  cannot  get  out  of  my  mind.  Whetlier 
it  was  a  vision  or  a  fancy  I  cannot  tell.  Have  you  read  tl'.c 
Gospels,  friend,  of  our  Lord's  life  on  earth? 

[15  ]     . 


caimot  read. 

Stephan:     I  have  heard  of  it,  but  I  am  an  ignorant  man  and 

Martin:  Well,  I  was  reading  of  how  He  walketh  on  earth, 
and  I  was  thinking  of  the  Pharisee  who  did  not  receive  the  Lord 
Christ,  well,  I  began  to  wonder  if  I  would  receive  Him  with  Hon- 
our. I  fell  asleep  and  as  I  dozed  I  heard  some  one  call  my  name 
and  say,  "Martin,  exjiect  me  tomorrow."  And  to  tell  you  the 
truth  it  sunk  into  my  mind,  and  though  I  am  ashamed  of  it,  T 
keep  on  expecting  the  dear  Lord. 

Stephan:  The  priest  says  "Blessed  are  the  poor,  the  humble, 
the  meek,  and  the  merciful,"  but  I  did  not  know  the  Clirist  would 
visit  the  poor. 

Martin:     Drink,  come,  drink  more  tea. 

Stephan:  Thank  you,  Martin  Avdeitch,  you  have  given  mo 
food  and  comfort  for  both  soul  and  body. 

Martin:  Come  again.  You're  very  welcome.  I  am  glad  to 
have  a  guest. 

(Tiro  soldiers  puss  the  iviiidou-  us  Martin  continues  tvatchiny   hut 

■  hntli  are  ivarmly  dressed.     The  taker,  well-dressed,  also  passes 

carrying  a  tasl'et.     A    woman  approaches  carrying  a   laby — 

she    stops   and    leans    against    the    wall.     She    wears    snmmcr 

clothes — shabby  and  worn — the  baby  is  crying.) 

Martin:  (Opening  the  door.)  My  dear,  I  say,  my  dear!  Wliy 
do  you  stand  out  there  with  a  baby  in  the  cold?  Come  inside. 
You  can  wrap  him  up  better  in  a  warm  place.  Come  this  way ! 
(lie  leads  the  way.) 

Woman:  Oh,  it  is  so  good  to  be  where  it  is  warm.  The  wind 
outside  is  bitter. 

Martin:  There  sit  down,  warm  yourself,  and  1  will  get  por- 
ridge to  warm  that  baby. 

Woman:  I  have  eaten  nothing  since  early  morning.  (Martin 
brings  a  porridge  hotel  to  the  tvoman,  and  tales  the  baby  in  his 
own  fatherly  arms.)  She  pauses  in  her  eating  to  say:  I  am  a 
soldier's  wife.  They  sent  him  somewhere  eight  months  ago.  It  is 
hard  for  a  woman  with  a  babe  to  find  work. 

Martin:      Have  you  no  warmer  clothing? 

Woman:  How  could  I  get  warm  clothing.'  Why  I  pawned 
my  shawl  for  a  sixpence  yesterday. 

[  16  J 


Martin:  (Gives  the  woman  the  child — goes  to  the  wall  and 
takes  down  his  old  cloalv.)  Here,  though  it  is  a  worn-out  thing 
it  will  do  to  wraj)  him  up  iu. 

Woman:  (Weeping.)  The  Lord  bless  you,  friend.  Surely  Christ 
must  have  sent  me  to  your  window,  else  the  child  would  have 
frozen. 

Martin:  (Pidling  out  on  old  chest — fumbles  in  it  and  finds 
warm  clothing  for  a  child.)  Here,  take  these.  My  own  child  is 
cared  for  by  the  Lord  in  heaven. 

Woman:  Surely,  surely  it  must  have  been  Christ  who  made 
you  look  out  of  your  window  and  take  pity  on  me. 

Martin:  It  is  quite  true.  It  was  He  made  me  do  it.  It  was 
no  mere  chance.  I  am  like  the  shepherds  of  Judea,  I  am  watching 
this  holy  Christmas  for  the  coming  of  a  King. 

Woman:  Who  knows?  All  things  are  possible.  I  take  them 
as  a  gift  from  the  Saviour  himself. 

Martin:  (As  she  goes  out.)  Here  take  this  sixpence  it  will 
take  the  shawl  from  pawn.  (Martin  sits  by  the  window — occasion- 
ally getting  up  to  stir  the  soup  and  porridge,  pointing  out  the 
ivindow  later  at  an  apple  w,vman  chasing  a  lad  who  has  stolen  an 
apple.) 

Martin:  Too  bad— Why  does  not  the  old  woman  know  the 
lad  is  just  full  of.  the  mirth  of  the  Christmas.  (He  goes  to  the 
door.) 

Boy:     I  did  not  take  it.     What  are  you  beating  me  for? 

Granny:  (Pulling  the  lad's  hair.)  I'll  take  you  to  the  police. 
I  '11  teach  you  to  take  my  apples. 

Martin:     Let  him  go,  Granny.     Forgive  him  for  Christ's  sake. 

Granny:  I'll  pay  him  back;  so  that  he  won't  forget  it  for  a 
year !     I  'II  take  the  rascal  to  the  police ! 

Martin:  Let  him  go.  Granny.  He  won't  do  it  again.  Let 
him  go  for  Christ 's  sake.  Now,  my  lad,  ask  Granny 's  forgiveness 
and  don 't  do  it  another  time.  I  saw  you  take  the  apple.  Here, 
Granny,  I  '11  buy  the  lad  an  apple. 

Granny:  You  will  spoil  them  that  w^ay,  the  young  rascals. 
He  ought  to  be  whipped  and  beaten  well." 

Martin:  Oh  Granny,  Granny,  that's  our  way,  but  it's  not 
God's  way.  If  he  should  be  whipped  for  stealing  an  apple,  what 
sbould  be  done  to  us  for  our  sins?  You  know  the  parable  of  the 
lord  who  forgave  his  servant  and  then  the  servant  seized  his  debtor 

[17  ] 


by  the  throat.  God  bids  us  forgive — forgive  every  one — and  a 
thoughtless  youngster  most  of  all. 

Granny:  It's  true  enough  but  they  are  getting  terribly 
spoilt. 

Martin;  Then  we  old  ones  must  show  them  better  ways.  'Twas 
a  little  child  who  came  on  Christmas  long  ago  to  teach  us  good 
will  and  love. 

G-ranny:     (Nodding  and  goes  on  her  wat/.J     God  help  us  all. 

Martin:  ( Eeturning  to  his  shop  begins  gathering  up  his  worh, 
then  talces  up  his  Bible.)  Perhaps  He  may  yet  come.  (He  thinlcs 
he  hears  footsteps.) 

Voice:     Martin,  Martin. 

Martin:     Who  is  it? 

Voice:  It  is  I.  I  am  Stephanitch — I  am  a  mother  and  babe. 
I  am  old  age  and  youth. 

Martin:  (Crossing  himself  piclcs  up  his  Bible  and  reads.)  "I 
was  hungry  and  ye  gave  me  meat— I  was  thirsty  and  ye  gave  me 
drink,  I  was  a  stranger  and  ye  took  me  in. ' ' 

Voice:  Inasmuch  as  ye  did  it  unto  one  of  these  my  brethren 
even  these  least,  ye  did  it  unto  me. 


[18] 


HOLY   NIGHT 

By  Juliette  C.  Devine 

SCENE:  The  stage  is  in  darkness  save  for  a  light  ihat  burnt; 
dimly  out  of  the  door  of  a  rude  shed  at  the  left  of  the  stage.  Be- 
side the  shed  there  is  a  heap  of  straw,  aud  the  audience  hecome.s 
aware  that  a  crippled  figure  is  Middled  upov  it,  coughing  and  mov- 
ing restlessly. 

The  Figure  in  the  Straw:  (In  a  quavering  voice.) 
The  high  angels  help  us  tonight.  Ah-ah-ah!  (In  pain.)  A  body 
must  keep  moving  to  get  the  cold  out  of  his  limbs.  (He  rises  ami. 
totters  to  the  ground.)  Holy  fathers,  how  strange  the  night — not 
a  sound,  not  a  stir  to  break  the  air!  (Change  in  tone.)  That  sti<'k 
(Groan) — oh,  where  is  that  wicked  stick!  Ah!  (He  Juts  fcwnl 
it.)  I  wonder  hoM'  they  be  in  yonder  shed.  The  girl  was  weary 
most  to  death. 

(He  is  a  tiny,  twisted  figure  limping  across  the  stage  to  the  open 

door.) 

There  is  not  a  sound  to  tell  that  they  are  there.  They  sleep, 
perhaps.  Poor  little  one!  (Hobbling  back  to  the  straw.)  May 
the  good  angels  bless  her  and  keep  her  tonight ! 

Voice:     Aye. 

Cripple:  Who  spoke?  (Silence.)  Tsh!  I  thought  I  heard  a 
voice.  The  night  is  strange.  I  would  that  yonder  pair  had  borne 
me  company.  But  they  were  weary;  the  girl  nigh  to  death,  I 
thought,  or  I  would  have  questioned  them.  They're  from  the 
Passover,  so  they  said — and  so  would  I  be  if  I  had  a  pair  of  legs 
to  get  me  there.  But  the  stick  is  slow  to  travel  with,  and  I  '11  have 
to  bide  my  time — another  day,  and  another,  perhaps  'will  take  me 
there.  But  perchance,  I  thought,  when  I  saw  them  coming,  pc- 
chance  they  bring  tidings  of  the  Birth.  But  naught  they  said, 
for  all  that  it  is  rumored  that  now  is  the  time  of  the  fulfillment — 
the  birth  of  the  new  King,  the  promised  Christ.  I  heard  it  on  the 
highway  yesterday  in  every  mouth. 

"And  great  will  be  the  glory  of  the  new  King,"  they  were 
saying, 

[19  ] 


"for  it  is  written  tliat  he  shall  be  above  all  kings.  There  will 
be  none  that  shall  excel  him  and  all  sliall  do  him  reverence. ' ' 

Ah  me,  they  all  have  passed  by,  and  are  there  by  now.  Tli'^y 
have  heard  the  glad  tidings  and  have  fonnd  the  King,  no  doubt — 
have  offered  gifts  and  done  their  reverence.  And  I  can  neither 
go  to  him,  nor  have  I  aught  to  give. 

Voice:     Nay,  do  not  say  it. 

Cripple:     What?     Who  spoke? 

Voice:     A  friend — a  friend   to  man. 

Cripple:     Where  art  "thou? 

Voice:     Here. 

Cripple:     I  see  no  one. 

Voice:      I  am  beside  thee. 

Cripple:      Art  thou  man? 

Voice:  More  than  man.  Nay,  fear  me  not.  I  am  thy  friend. 
Listen. 

Cripple:     Aye. 

Voice:      Thou   art  hungry. 

Cripple:  I  have  not  said  so.  But  it  is  true,  for  I  gave  my 
little  food  to  yonder  pair.     The  girl  was  dying. 

Voice:     Hold  out  thy  hand.     What  hast   thou   now? 

Cripple:     (In  wonder.)     Bread! 

Voice:     Eat. 

Cripple:     Nay,  I  am  afraid. 

Voice:  Fear  not,  I  have  told  thee  I  was  thy  friend.  (HesifMt- 
ing,  the  cripple  eats.) 

Cripple:     Ah! 

Voice:      Art  thou  hungry  now? 

Cripple:  Nay,  it  was  more  than  bread.  I  am  filled.  Say — 
who  thou  art. 

Voice:     It  is  not  time. 

Cripple:  (To  himself.)  Strange!  But  then,  the  night  is 
strange.  I  thought  there  was  foreboding  of  great  incident  in  the 
air.     Dost  thou  know  of  it?     (This  la.'it  to  the  Voice.) 

Voice:     Of  what? 

Cripple:      Of  the  fulfillment,  the  coming  of  the  new  King? 

Voice:  Yea,  it  is  the  night.  The  son  of  God  shall  be  born 
of  woman. 

Cripple:     And  he   shall  be  the  Saviour,  as  men  say? 

Voice:     Aye,  and  the  Light  and  the  Way. 

[20] 


Cripple:      (Without  niiderstuiidiiuj.)  The  Light  and  the  Way! 
Voice:      Through  all  the  Ages,  And  by  Him 

Men  shall  struggle  out  of  darkness 

Toward  the  Light. 
Cripple:     I  see  it  not. 
Voice:      Through  pain  and  blood  and  deathless  death 

Progressing  toward  the  great  Design. 
(The  voice  drops  now.) 

For  thou  must  know  the  Blessed  One  shall  die — 

By  the  hand  of  man. 
Cripple:      (In  horror.)     Oh! 

Voice:     (Continuing  in  a  low  tone.)  And  be  raised  again  of  the 
Father. 

Cripple:     Oh! 

Voice:     But  men  shall  revile  him, 

Revile  his  holy  name,  until  the  world  again  is  sunk 

In  wickedness. 
Cripple:      Oh  wretchedness!     Must  this  be? 
Voice:     And  all  is  darkness.     (Fame.) 

But,  lo,  the  ages  pass,  and  the  Son  of  God 

Lives  again,  not  in  glory,  but  rising 

From  the  sweat  and  blood  of  battle. 

Look!    What   seest  thouf 
(A  series  of  visions  are  now  put  on  in  tableau  form  in  a  remote 
corner  of  the  stage.     Every  effort  is  made  with  mechanics  to 
give  the  whole  an  impression  of  distance  and  mystery.) 


Vision  One 


(The  Crusader,  carrying   the  flag  with  the  cross.) 
Cripple:     The  Lord  God  of  Hosts -defend  us!  Stranger,  I  see  a 
warrior  clad  in  strange  armor  and  girt  with  a  sword. 

(Vision  fades.) 
Voice:     Upon  his  battle  flag  the  figure  of  the  cross, 
The  symbol  of  the  resurrected  Christ. 
Behold,  again. 

[21] 


(Crusader   and   Saracen   are   clinched    in   a   death   grapple.     Tin' 
curved  scimitar  is  upraised  to  strike  the  How.) 
Cripple:     (A  cry  of  horror.) 

(Vision  fades.) 
Voice:     Wait. 


C 

(The  Crusader  lies  prostrate,  clasping  in  his  arms  the  emblem  of 

Ms  Order.) 

Voice:     Tlirough  pain   and   blood   and  deathless   death — 
Cripple:      Conquered!     The  Christ-Spirit  is  overcome! 
Voice:     Nay,  the  Spirit  lives  from  death  to  death. 
The  fallen  standard  rises  from  the  dust, 
Snatched  up  by  other  hands,  unconquered  still, 
And  through   the  lapse   of   ages,  moves   with  steady 

tread 
Lighting  in  the  hearts  of  men  the  fire  of  the  Soul. 
Behold! 

Vision  Two 

A 

(The  tableau  is  a  figure  after  the  order  of  Millet's  "Man  with  the 

Hoe.") 
Voice:     What  seest  thou? 

Cripple:  I  see  a  man  toiling  in  the  sua,  who  looks  not  from 
the  ground,  but  keeps  his  eyes  bent  low,  as  if  he  knew  naught 
else. 

Voice:     Behold  the  man  of  bondage. 

(Vision  fades.) 
But  no  more  he  bonds  his  patient  head 
Before  the  yoke  of  servitude;  no  more  he  labors 
As  the  ox,  unquestioning. 
No  more — 

[22] 


(The  Manor  Hall  where  the  serf  has  hruuyht  his  tithe  and  pre- 
sents it  to  the  Over  Lcfr'd.  His  poverty  is  in  severe  contrast 
with  the  evidences  of  wealth  in  the  dress  of  the  lord  and  his 
attendants.) 

— he  ekes  the  scanty  crop  from  out  the 
sterile  ground 
And  calls  it  not  his  own,  but  by  division 
.    Close  exacted,  fills  the  Master's  granary. 
Nay,  he  feels  the  message  in  his  soul. 
As  from  the  distance  comes  a  voice  that  speaks, 
All  luminously,  of  the  Brotherhood  of  man. 
And  his  spirit  will  not  sleep. 

Slowly,  by  the  toil  of  years,  the  shackles  fall  away 
And  the  man  emerges — free. 


(The  former  peasant  is  now  shown  Letter  dressed,  better  instru- 
ments for  the  field,  splendidly  erect,  looMng  ahead,  his  eyes 
Itright  with  hope  and  the  eagerness  for  achievement.) 
(Vision  fades.) 
Voice:     The  Spirit  struggles  on.     The  white  man 

Not  for  himself  alone  reserves  the  glory  of  his  dream. 
Behold  again! 

Vision  Three 

(The  tvhite  man  bends  over  the  cringing  negro  to  loose  Ms  shackles. 
The  slave-driver's  whip  lies  by,  discarded.) 
Cripple:     (As  the  vision  fades.)     Aye,  on  and  on — 
Voice:     Each  year  the  Spirit  grows  and  seeks  completion 

In  some  unopened  channel, 

Uncontent  without  achieving  larger  scope. 

Man  has  found  the  freedom  of  his  bodyj 

Now  he  seeks  the  freedom  of  his  Soul. 

Lo,  down  the  misty  way  of  ages 

Yet  unborn  to  man  and  earth, 

See  the  Spirit  of  the  Birth  renewing 

In  the  fiery  hearts  of  men. 

[23] 


See  the  loiieiy  group  departing 
From  the  shore  of  home  and  friend, 
Braving  the  sea 's  iincerf ain  perils 
Journeying  to  a  savage  soil 
For  the  freedom  of  the  Birth! 
For  the  freedom  of  the  Soul! 

Vision  Four 

(The  landing  of  the  Pilgrims.) 
(And  note  the  Voice  continues  to  trace  the  Spirit  down  through  the 
Great  War,  which  signifies  a  struggle  for  the  Brotherhood  of 
man — hringing   before  the  Cripple's  eyes  the  various  scenes. 
When  it  is  done — ) 
Cripple:     And  in  the  end? 
Voice:     Behold! 

Vision  Five 

(The  symbolic  figure  of  Peace.) 
(The  vision  fades  away  and  the  stage  is  left  in  darlness  and  si- 
lence.   After  a  pause — ) 
Cripple:      Strange  dreams  have  come  to  me — 
Voice:     Nay,  I  am  beside  thee  still.     Thou  hast  only  seen  the 
Truth. 

(Soft  music  outside.) 
Cripple:     All  is  passing  strange.     Bringst  thou  this  music  to 
my  ears? 

Voice:     Nay,  look  behind  thee,  friend. 
(The  Cripple  lools  behind  him.     Over  the  shed  is  a  soft  diffusion 
of  light  that  grows  brighter  and  brighter.) 
Cripple:     What  is  this? 

Voice:      It  is  the  Birth.     Lo,  in  yonder  shed  is  born  the  Son 
of  God.     Stranger,  THOU  GAVEST  THY  CEUST. 
(Slowly  the  Cripple  ttirns  to  him;  the  Voice  has  become  the  figure 
of  an  angel  shedding  light.) 
(Outside  soft  voices  sing  Peace  on  Earth,  Good-will  to  Men.) 


[241 


TWELFTH   NIGHT   FESTIVITIES 

By  Ethel  Louise  Knox 
Central   High  School,   Grand   Rapids,   Mich. 

(Copyrighted  by  the  University  Extension  Division.) 

The  Twelfth  Night  Festival  is  of  Old  English  origin. 
It  receives  its  name  from  the  fact  that  it  comes  the 
twelfth  night  after  Christmas  and  terminates  the  ob- 
servance of  the  Nativity  of  Our  Lord.  Originally,  a 
festival  of  great  solemnity,  it  finally  became  one  oi 
jocularity  when  all  laid  aside  their  dignity  and  gave 
free  play  to  the  general  spirit  of  fun.  This  little  festi- 
val attempts  to  make  use  of  some  of  the  more  popular 
old  English  customs  in  such  a  way  as  to  provide  op- 
portunity for  a  real  community  party. 

This  festival  and  the  little  play  Holy  Night  require  a  series  of 
tableaux.  An  effective  way  in  which  to  produce  them  is  to  con- 
struct a  picture  frame  with  an  opening  as  large  as  needed.  This 
is  mounted  on  a  platform,  and  across  the  front,  to  aid  in  the  illu- 
sion, is  stretched  a  thin  gauzy  material,  such  as  light  blue  tarlatan. 
Behind  the  frame  entirely  hidden  from  the  audience  are  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  incandescent  lights  which  will  supply  strong  il- 
lumination to  the  picture.  To  prevent  the  light  from  shining  ouf 
at  the  sides,  it  is  best  to  box-in  the  inclosure  completely  with  an 
appropriate  background.  Heavy  draperies  should  hang  in  front  of 
the  frame  until  the  tableau  is  needed.  The  audience  room  should 
be  as  dark  as  possible  in  order  that  the  best  effect  of  the  picture 
may  be  obtained. 

DIRECTIONS  FOR  PRODUCTION 

This  Festival  should  be  given  in  a  large  auditorium  or  gymna- 
sium. The  audience  occupies  seats  around  three  sides,  leaving  a 
large  open  space  in  the  middle.  At  the  end  of  the  room  in  one 
corner  is  the  throne,  and  in  the  other  the  platform  upon  which  the 
tableaux  are  shown. 

The  Master  of  Revels  stands  in'  center  of  floor  during  all  of  his 

[  25  ] 


announcements.  At  other  times  be  may  retire  to  a  seat  reservt^d 
for  him  at  one  side.  At  each  blast  of  the  trmnpet,  the  Master's 
Page  goes  out  for  a  moment,  and  returning  almost  immediately, 
speaks  to  the  Master,  who,  turning  to  the  King  and  the  Court,  an- 
nounces the  new  arrival. 

The  court  is  assembled  on  either  side  of  the  open  space  between 
the  throne  and  the  tableau  stage.  Tableau  I  represents  the  wise 
men  offering  gifts,  with  shepherds  in  the  background.  Tableau  II 
is  a  grouping  of  modern  warriors  and  war  workers.  The  Bed  Cross 
should  be  prominently  displayed. 


PEOPERTIES 

Huge  scroll  for  Master  of  Eevels. 

Wassail  bowl — punch   bowl   filled    with   rich  fruit  punch.     Cart 
or  other  device  upon  which  it  is  borne  should 
be  decorated  gayly  with  Christmas  garlands. 
Cake — the  larger,  the  better,  cone-shaped,  built  of  several  layers, 
frosted  and  decorated  as  gayly  as  possible  with  red 
(•a}idies  and  holly,  and  bearing  at  the  very  top  a  bay- 
lierry   or   a  bright   red   candle.      The   cake  must   con- 
tain a  larsje  bean. 


CHARACTERS 

Herald:      (two,   one  for  outer  and   one  for  inner  door,  are  de- 
sirable.) 
Page  to  Master  of  Revels:    (may  be  taken  by  boy  or  girl.) 
Master  of  Revels  and  His  Followers:  (see  text.) 
Minstrels:    (at  least  four;  more  are  desirable.) 
Royal  Procession  as  indicated  in  text. 
Bishop: 
Lady  Prioress:    (the  principal,  a  teacher,  the  chaperon,  or  any 

woman  whom  the  revelers  wish  to  honor.) 
Red  Cross  Knight: 

Morrice  Dancers:   (four  boys  and  four  girls,  or  eight  girls.) 
Befana: 
Prophet: 

Mummers:    (see  play.) 
Wassail  Bearers:    (five.) 

Purveyors:    (six,  two  preceding  and  two  on  either  side  of  cart.) 
Figures  for  Tableaux. 

Everybody  in  costume  not  otherwise  assigned  may  be  in- 
cluded in  the  Royal  procession.  Everyone  should  be  urged  to 
wear  some  sort  of  fancy  costume. 

[  26] 


(Herald's  trumpet  heard  off  stage.    Enter  Herald  to  center  where 
he  blows  another  blast.     Exit  Herald.     Enter  Page  to  Master 
of  Bevels.) 
Page:     My  Lord  Morris  (name  of  boy  taking  part)  appointed 
by  his  most  gracious  majesty,  the  King  of  Twelfth   Night,  to 
be  Master  of  the  Twelfth  Night  Eevels,  approacheth. 
(Enter  Master  of  Bevels  with  followers  fantastically   costumed: 
boy  or  girl   beating   drum,   bear,  pig,  astrologer,  court  fool, 
fairies,  giant,  horse,  Egyptian  girl,  Bobin  Hood,  abbot,  goblin, 
rooster,   etc.     After  a  madcap   dance,   the  Master  waves   his 
staff,  his  followers  find  seats,  while  the  Master  proceeds  to 
read  the  King's  proclamation.) 
Master:     Oyez!     Oyez!!     Oyez!!!* 

The  proclamation  of  his  most  gracious  majesty, 
The  King  of  Twelfth  Night! 
(Beading.)  I  give  free  leave  to  Lord  Moi'vis  (name  of  boy  icJ'o 
assumes  character)  to  be  Master  of  the  Twelfth  Night  Eevels,  and 
also  I  give  free  leave  to  the  said. Lord  Morris  to  command  every 
person  whatsoever,  as  well  teachers  as  others,  to  be  at  his  com- 
mand whensoever  he  shall  sound  his  music,  and  to  do  him  good 
service  though  I  myself  be  not  present,  at  their  perils.  I  give  full 
power  to  his  lordship  to  break  all  locks,  doors,  and  latches  to  come 
to  all  those  who  presume  to  disobey  his  lordship 's  commands. 

(Speaking.)  On  Twelfth  Night  I  am  Lord  Supreme;  by  idv 
magic  art  I  transform  you  all  into  little  children,  and  charge  you 
on  your  fealty,  to  act  only  as  such.  I  absolve  you  all  from  wisdom. 
I  bid  you  be  just  wise  enough  to  make  fools  of  yourselves,  and  do 
decree  that  none  shall  sit  apart  in  pride  and  eke  in  self  sufficiency 
to  laugh  at  others.  (Adapted  from  Fitchburg  State  Normal  Pag- 
eant.) 

(Trumpet  sounds.     Music  heard  off  stage.) 
Master:     The  Eoyal  Minstrels!     Make  way! 

(Enter  Minstrels  playing.     Trumpet  sounds  "Flourish.") 
Master:     Their  Majesties,   the  King  and   Queen  of  Twelfth 
Night! 
(Enter  Boyal  Procession.) 

1.  Pages  (two) 

2.  Lords  and  Ladies  in  Waiting 

3.  King  and  Queen 


*  A    cry   used   hv   couiL   crier. 

[  27  ] 


4.  Pages   (two) 

5.  Lords  and  Ladies  of  the  Court 

King:  (From  the  throne.)  O,  loyal  and  noble  subjects,  I  wel- 
come you  to  this,  the  last  of  the  Christmas  celebrations.  His  Lord- 
ship, the  Master  of  Revels,  has  given  much  thouglit  to  your  pleas- 
ure this  Twelfth  Night,  and  'tis  the  royal  wish  that  every  truo 
and  loyal  subject  this  night  do  the  bidding  of  the  Master  and  for 
getting  all  wisdom  and  learning,  spend  the  last  hours  of  this  festi- 
val season  in  mirth  and  joy  and  gladness. 
Lords  and  Ladies:     God  save  the  King! 

(Trumpet  sounds.  Herald  enters  and  speals  to  Master.) 
Master:  Our  friend  the  Lord  Bishop  approaeheth! 
(His  Page  goes  to  the  door  and  precedes  the  guest  to  the  center 
of  the  room,  where  the  two  Pages  near  step  to  the  guest's 
side  and  escort  him  to  the  foot  of  the  throne.  They  then 
take  the  places  of  the  two  Pages  near  the  throne  ivho  puss 
quietly  to  the  places  formerly  occupied  by  the  other  two. 
The  King  rises  to  welcome  the  Bishop  who  is  given  the  seat  of 
honor  ieside  the  King.) 

(Trumpet   sounds.     Same   ceremony   as   (iharc.) 
Master:     We    are    honored    by    the   presence    of    our   beloved 
Lady  Prioress.  (Same  ceremony  as  above.)  (Lady  Prioress  is  given 
seat  al  left  of  Queen.     Courtiers  rise  as  she  passes  to  her  seat.) 

King:      We  would  hear  the  merry  minstrels. 
(Minstrels  play,   ending   their   numier    with  a  carol    in    which   all 
join,  the  Master  leading.     Choristers  might  be  introduced  at 
this  point  to   lead  the  singing,  not  to  do  it  all.     Any   wrt'- 
known  Christmas  carols  may  be  used.) 
King:      My  noble  countrymen,    'tis  a  custom  time-honored   in 
our   land   to   hear    at    this   time   from    the   lips    of    our   reverend 
father,  tlie  Bishop,  news  of  great  import  to  all  true  sons  of  Chris- 
tendom.     So   at  our   earnest   entreaty   he   hath  left   his   books   of 
learning,  his  fasting  and  vigils,  to  join  with  us  in  our  merryinaK- 
ing  and  to  perform  the  time-honored  rite  as  did  his  fathers  in  thf 
office  before  him.     Good  father,  wilt  thou  make  known  to  these, 
my  subjects   and   tliine,  the  time   upon   which   the  joyous  Easter- 
tide shall  fall? 

Bishop:     Dearly  beloved,  I  have  come  to  announce  to  you  on 
this   Epiphany  Eve  that    in   the  present   year  of  our  Lord's   reiiiii 

[  28  ] 


upon  earth,  tlie  Holy  Day  of  Easter  cloth  fall  upon  the day  of 

April  (or  March)  whii-li  is  iu  accordance  to  the  calendar  of  tlie 
Church  on  the  tenth  Golden  Number,  Dominical  letter  "B"  of  tho 
aforesaid  year.  Wherefore,  most  dearly  beloved,  take  ye  good 
heed,  and  fulfill  your  duties  to  thy  mother,  the  Church,  against 
the  coming  of  the  blessed  Eastertide. 

(Trumpet  from  outer  door.  Master  sends  Page  to  learn  irlm  is 
icitJwut  while  the  court  waits  expectantly.  Page  returns  and 
speal's  to  Master.) 

Master:  There  waits  without  a  brave  Red  Cross  Knight  but 
recently  returned  from  crusading  in  the  Holy  Land. 

King:  (Lifting  sceptre.)  Let  him  be  brought  before  the  throne. 
(Enter  Bed  Cross  Knight  preceded  iy  Page.     Bows  before  throne. ) 

King:      We  would  hear  of  thy  journeyings,  Sir  Knight. 

Red  Cross  Knight:  Far  and  wide  I  traveled,  O  King,  with 
Peter  the  llerniit,  while  he  preached  of  the  indignities  and  cruel- 
ties that  the  Christians  of  the  Holy  Land  suffered  at  the  hands 
of  the  Infidels.  Truly  the  man  seemed  a  messenger  from  Heaven, 
O  King.  Throngs  were  eager  to  follow  him  whereso 'er  he  bade 
Then  we  grew  impatient  because  the  regular  armies  were  delayed. 
We  urged  him  to  place  himself  at  our  head  and  lead  us  straight  to 
the  Holy  Land.  There  were  many  thousands  of  us,  O  King,  too 
many  for  one  man  to  lead,  so  he  divided  the  command  with  one 
Walter,  called  the  Penniless.  And  our  number  was  as  the  sands  of 
the  sea. 

By  an  overland  route  we  traveled,  througli  many  countries,  but 
with  our  faces  ever  toward  the  stronghold  of  the  Turk.  Peter, 
good  leader  that  he  was,  lavished  all  his  tender  care  upon  us,  and 
earnest  and  eager  were  his  bold  followers.  But  by  and  by  our 
food  failed.  We  ate  only  enough  to  keep  us  from  starvation,  and 
soon  many  of  our  number  sickened,  and  when  there  was  no  longer 
water  to  quench  their  tliirst,  they  fell  by  the  roadside  no  longer 
able  to  journey  with  us.  Misery  and  sorrow  and  wretchedness 
pursued  us,  so  that  no  more  than  two  hundred  survived  to  reach 
the  Bosporus. 

Ten  days  we  rested,  regaining  health  with  nourishment,  and 
energy  and  courage  from  the  lips  of  our  leader,  but  mourning, 
alas,  the  loss  of  the  pious  Walter  who  had  been  left  behind  tc^ 
weak  to  follow  and  perishing  of  thirst.    Then  the  Hermit  bade  me 

[  29  ] 


take  my  dead  comrade's  command,  and,  mustering  many  boats,  ^e 
crossed  the  Bosporus.     Fatal  move!     (Bows  his  head.) 

Queen:     And  then,  noble  knight,  and  then? 

R.  C.  Knight:  Would  we  had  turned  back,  O  Queen!  'Tis 
all  a  tale  too  dreadful  for  thy  gentle  ear. 

Queen  and  Lords  and  Ladies:     Nay,  tell  us,  we  would  hear! 

R.  C.  Knight:  We  had  scarce  set  foot  upon  the  shore,  nay 
the  vessels  were  not  yet  lightened  of  their  cargo,  when  a  murderous 
cry  sounded  in  our  ears.  The  Turks,  the  bloody  Turks,  wild  men 
truly,  beasts,  not  men,  O  King!  The  monsters  surrounded  us, 
drew  their  gleaming  swords,  and  slaughtered  right  and  left  the 
soldiers  of  the  Cross. 

Lords  and  Ladies:     All?     But  Peter?     And  thyself? 

R.  C.  Knight:  Peter  was  slain,  resisting  nobly,  shouting  or- 
ders to  his  bewildered  followers,  but  slain  at  the  first  onslaught. 
Myself  did  try  to  rally  the  scattered  forces  of  our  men,  but  what 
can  the  pebble  do  against  the  forces  of  the  sea?  On  and  on  they 
came,  resistless,  mad  with  their  easy  victory!  Would  I  had  died 
among  them.  Providence  permitted  not  that  mercy.  A  prisoner, 
I  did  their  bidding,  scoffed  at,  mocked,  mistreated,  yea,  bound  and 
scourged  to  give  the  heathen  pleasure. 

Queen:     But  thou  art  here  to  tell  the  tale.  Sir  Knight! 

R.  C.  Knight:  Yea,  I  escaped,  but  bid  me  not  relate  that 
portion  of  the  tale,  kind  Lady!  'Tis  not  long  since,  and  my  flesh 
goes  cold  but  thinking  of  it.  Weeks  we  traveled  in  the  darkness 
of  night,  hiding  at  the  first  streaks  of  dawn.  Six  of  us  reaehod 
the  Danube.     There  we  parted,  each  taking  his  separate  way. 

At  last  I  came  to  merry  England  in  this  festal  season  when  all 
true  Knights  of  the  Cross  must  rejoice,  forgetting  the  sorrows  of 
the  past  and  looking  toward  the  victory  the  future  holds. 

King:  The  regular  army  has  moved  forward,  Sir  Knight. 
Thou  art  too  late  to  join  with  thy  peers. 

R.  C.  Knight:  Yea,  King,  but  the  day  after  tomorrow,  my 
gracious  sovereign  willing,  I  start  again  for  Jerusalem,  traveling  •;. 
different  route,  and  mayhap  reaching  there  in  time  to  avenge  the 
wrong  done  my  comrades,  and  to  participate  in  wresting  from  the 
heathen  those  sacred  spots  which  belong  by  right  to  Christendom. 
(Applause.) 

King:  Success  and  good  fortune  attend  thee  on  thy  journey! 
We  thank  thee  for  thy  tale  of  hardy  adventure.     This  one  eve,  wo 

[30] 


beg  tliee  to  forget  thy  trials  and  misfortune,  and  joiri  with  ns  in 
our  Yuletide  festivity. 

R.  C.  Knight:     I  thank  thee,  O  King! 

{ Turning. )     Long  live   the   Kiiiy! 

Lords  and  Ladies:     Long  live  the  King! 
(Trumpet  sounds.     Herald  enters  as  lefore.     Speaks  to  Master.) 

Master:     Hail  to  the  jolly  Morrice  daneers! 
(Minstrels  tune  their  instruments  and  as  soon  as  they  begin  their 
dance  music,   the  dancers  run  and  dance  to  center  of  room 
where  their  formal  dance  takes  place.     King  may  recall  them 
if  he  chooses.) 

Master:     Behold  the  Vision!  (Pointing  to  tableau  stage.) 
(Tableau  of  Wise  Men  offering  gifts.    Music.) 
(Trumpet    sounds    at    outer   door.     Same    ceremony   as   with   Bed 

Cross  Knight.) 

Master:  A  little  strange  old  woman,  footsore  and  weary, 
craves  admission! 

King:     (Baising  sceptre.)     Bring  her  within! 

(Enter  Befana,  haltingly,  leaning  on  a  cane.) 

King:     Who  art  thou? 

Befana:     My  name,  Befana,  O  King! 

King:  Weary  thou  art,  Befana,  why  comest  thou  here?  Tell 
us  thy  tale. 

Befana:  It  was  a  cold  winter 's  night,  O  King,  when  as  I  was 
seated  by  my  warm  fireside,  three  men  came  to  my  door.  I  bade 
them  come  in  and  warm  themselves.  They  told  me  their  story, 
how  they  were  following  the  light  of  the  star,  and  they  asked  me 
to  go  with  them  on  their  journey.  But  I  was  loath  to  leave  my 
own  warm  fireside  to  follow  the  cold  light  of  the  star.  And — 
and — so  those  three  men,  kings  like  thee,  O  Sire,  Melchoir,  Caspar, 
Balthasar,  left  my  door  to  follow  the  light  of  the  gleaming  star. 
Somehow,  O  King,  my  fire  burned  not  so  bright,  it  grew  colder  and 
1 — I  grew  lonely  and  sad.  And — then — then,  O  Sire,  I  set  out  to 
follow  the  star  and  to  find  these  men,  but  it  seemed  I  could  never 
quite  overtake  them,  and  I  have  come  to  thee,  O  King,  for  help. 
Canst  thou  tell  me  where  they  are? 

(King  motions  Quern  to  .'^prak  to  her.) 

Queen:  Befana,  thou  art  too  late.  The  wise  men  have 
passed  long  ago  in  a  vision  glorious  to  behold.  But  now  they  ap- 
peared to  all  this  court,  but  thou  comest  too  late.     Go  to  the  good 

[31  ] 


bisliu}),  that  he  may  coiut'di-t  thee;  tlioii  rost  ye  here  tliis  "Pweltlli 
Niglit,  and  forget  tliy  .-(H'Vow  tor  a  liltlc  s]iaee. 
(Bishop  extends  his  Itniids  oiu  r  her  f(,r  <i  iiicinent  then  /r//.s  her 
to  be  seated  on  the  slep  at  his  .tide.)  ■ 
A  Courtier  (after  irhtsperivg  with  members  of  the  court  and  be- 
ing urged  by  them  hy  nods  and  .sighs)  rising:  Your  Majesty,  the 
lords  and  ladies  of  the  foiiit  beg  that  the  dancers  (or  minstrels) 
he  commanded  to  perform,  for  truly  they  have  mightily  pleased  tiie 
assemliled  company. 

King:      The    Dancers!    The    Dancers!    Come    forth!    (or    " 'J'h/: 
Minstrels. ' ') 

Lords  and  Ladies:     The  Dancers! 
(The  dancers  give  a  i^econd  performance,  or  the   minstrels,  as  the 

company  prefers.) 
(Trumpet  sounds  from  outer  door.     Same  ceremony  as  with  Fed 

Cross  Knight.) 
(Enter  Prophet  who  stands  some  distance  from  the  throne)  : 
Listen,  O  ye  King  and  people! 
I  am  come  before  ye  to  piopliesy, 
To  prophesy  that  upon  tlie  fourteenth  year 
Of  the  twentieth  century, 
There  shall  come  to  pass  a  War — 
A  War  that  shall  overshadow  all  preceding  wars 
As  the  mountain  overshadows  the  ant  hill. 
And  during  that  War,  men  shall  fly  thioiigii  th(^  air, 
Sail  under  tlie  sea. 
And   liui'l   deatli   many   leagues! 
And   from  the  distress  of  this   War 
There  shall  arise  a  miglity  company 
Which  shall  work  wondrous  healing 
^And  shall  be  known  unto  men  as  the  Red  Cross. 
But  O  ye  King  ami  people! 
Heed  carefully,  for  tliis  I  say  unto  ye. 
At  the  end  of  this  War 
The   Holy   Land   shall  be   freed   from   the   iiand   of   tli-.' 

Saracen ! 
I  have  prophesied.     Behold!     (Points  to  vision.) 
(Vision  of  soldier,  sailor,  Bed  Cross  worker,  etc.     Tableau  opp-- 

site  throne.) 
(Trumpet   sounds.     Ma.ster   announces   arrival   of  Mummers.) 

[32  ] 


Master:      The  Muumiers!     The  Mummers!     (Cry  is  taken  up  bii 
court.) 

King:  (Rising  and  extending  Jiis  sceptre  for  attention.) 
rrom  the  olden  time,  the  mummers  have  joined  in  our  festivities. 
Young  men  of  the  town  and  country  make  merry,  proclaiming  in 
grotesque  character  the  conquest  of  Eighteousness,  in  the  person 
of  St.  George,  over  Paganism,  typified  by  the  Saracen,  and  Evil  in 
the  guise  of  the  hideous  dragon.  Take  heed,  therefore,  that  while 
ye  laugh  and  make  merry  at  the  antics  of  the  mad  mummers,  ye 
forget  not  the  truth  they  set  forth.  When  St.  George  strikes  down 
the  treacherous  Turk,  rejoice;  when  the  Turk  revives,  know  that 
Righteousness  can  have  no  easy  victory.  If  the  play  is  pleasing 
forget  not  to  show  thy  gratitude  when  their  money  box  is  dis- 
played.    (Eaises  sceptre.) 

(Enter  mummers,  running  to  center  stage,  and  bowing  low  before 
the  King,   who     once  more  raises  his  sceptre.     Then  all  tale 
their  places  and  begin  to  play.) 
Old  Father  Christmas 
Grand  Turk 
St.  George 
Dragon 
Doctor 
Beelzebub 
Drummers  and  other  members  of  the  company 

Father  Christmas: 

Here  come  I,  old  Father  Christmas, 

Christmas  or  not, 
I  hope  old  Father  Christmas 

Will  never  be  forgot. 
A  room — make  room  here,  gallant  boys, 

And  give  us  room  to  rhyme, 
We're  come  to  show  activity 

Upon  a  Christmas  time. 
Acting  youth  or  acting  age. 
The  like  was  never  seen  upon  this  stage; 
If  you  don 't  believe  what  I  now  say. 
Enter  St.  George  and  clear  the  way. 

[33  ] 


St.  George: 

Here  come  I,  St.  George,  the  valiant  man, 

With  naked  sword  and  spear  in  hand, 
Who  fought  the  dragon  and  brought  him  to  the 
slaughter, 

And  for  this  won  the  King  of  Egypt's  daughter. 
What  man  or  mortal  will  dare  to  stand 

Before  me  with  my  sword  in  hand? 
I'll  slay  him  and  cut  him  as  small  as  flies, 
And  send  him  to  Jamaica  to  make  mince  pies. 

G-raiid  Turk: 

Here  come  I,  a  Turkisli  kniglit, 
In  Turkish  land  I  learned  to  fight, 
I  '11  fight  St.  George  with  courage  bold. 
And  if  his  blood's  hot,  will  make  it  cold. 

St.  George: 

If  thou  art  a  Turkish  knight, 
Draw  out  thy  sword  and  let  us  fight. 
(A   battle  ensues  and  the   Turlc  falls.) 

St.  George: 

Ladies  and  gentlemen, 

You  see  what  I  've  done, 
I've  cut  Hiis  Turk  down 

Like  the  evening  sun. 
Is  there  any  doctor  that  can  be  found 
To  cure  this  knight  of  his  deadly  wound? 

Doctor: 

Here  come  I,  a  doctor, 
A  ten-pound  doctor, 
I've  a  little  bottle  in  my  [xicket 
Called  hokum,  shokum,  alicampane, 
I'll  touch  his  eyes,  nose,  mouth,  and  chin. 
And  say,  "Rise,  dead  man,"  and  he'll  fight  again. 
(Doctor  ministers  to  Turlc  while  St.  George  speaks.) 

St.  George: 

Here  am  I.  St.  George  with  shining  armor  hriglit, 
I  am  a  ramous  champion,  also  a  worthy  knight, 

[34] 


^; 


Seven  long  years  in  a  close  cave  ^vas  kept, 
And  out  of  that  into  a  prison  leaped, 
From  out  of  that  into  a  rock  of  stones, 
Then  I  laid  down  my  grievous  bones, 
Many  a  giant  did  I  subdue, 
And  ran  a  fiery  dragon  tlirough. 
I  fought  the  man  of  Sillotree, 
And  still  will  gain  the  victory, 
First,  then  I  fought  in  France, 
Second,  I  fought  in  Spain, 

Thirdly,  I  came  to  

To  fight  the  Turk  again. 

(A  fight  ensues — Turlc  slain.) 

Beelzebub: 

Here  come  I,  Beelsebub, 
Under  my  arm  I  carry  a  club 
Under  my  chin  I  carry  a  pan 
Don 't  I  look  a  nice  young  man  ? 

Another  from  the  company: 

Ladies  and  gentlemen, 
Our  story  is  ended, 
Our  money  box  is  recommended ; 
Five  or  six  shillings  will  do  us  no  harm. 
Silver  or  copper  or  gold  if  you  can. 
(Money  box  passed  noisUli.) 

At   entrance:   Wassail!    Wassail!    Wassail!    (Pronounced  "  was- 
sill. ' ') 

(King   raises  sceptre.) 
(Enter   icassail  hearers,  bringing  boicl  on  cart   much   draped  and 
festooned.     The   caller  precedes  the  cart,  oallivg   ' '  Wassail ' ' 
as  he  approaches  i]}e   throne.     King,   Queen,  and  Court    pnr- 
tale  of  wassail.) 

(Trumpet  sounds.) 
Master:     The  Twelfth  Night  Cake! 
(Cal-e  is  brought  in  on  cart  by  purveyors  who  place  it  before  the 

throne.) 
King:     Loyal   subjects,   gaze  upon   the   Twelfth   Night   cake! 
In  accordance  with  the  ancient  custom,  the  court  shall  now  make 

[35] 


merry   until  the  candle  burus  low.     When  the  herald    sounds  the 

trumpet,  gather  ye  about  and  partake.     He  who  shall  find  in  bis 

portion  the  Twelfth  Night  bean  shall  be  proclaimed  King  of  th? 

Bean.      He   shall   choose   a   consort   to   rule   with   him  next   Yul»- 

tide,  and  to  them  shall  we  surrender  our  sceptre  and  our  throne. 

(He  then  leads  the  Queen  from  the  throne  and  dances  with  her,  the 
lords  and  ladies  of  the  court  following.  An  old  English  folk 
dance  is  desirable  if  it  is  possible  to  teach  it  to  everybody 
beforehand,  or,  if  the  Master  of  Sevels  is  capable  of  doing  it 
lie  may  instruct  the  whole  company  in  a  simple  folk  dance. 
Games  may  be  suhstitiited. 

When  the  candle  has  burned  low,  the  heralds  proclaim  the  fact  and 
the  Queen  with  her  attendants  approaches  ihe  cake.  She 
cuts  the  first  slice,  and  the  purveyors  present  it  to  the  Lady 
Prioress.  The  Maid  of  Honor  cuts  the  second  and  it  is  pre- 
sented to  ihe  Bishop.  The  other  ladies  cut  the  rest  which 
is  distributed  to  the  company  by  the  purveyors. 

Informal  dancing  and  merrymaking  continue  until  the  bean  is 
discovered.  The  new  King  or  Queen  chooses  a  consort  and 
approaches  the  throne,  where  the  old  king  passes  over  his 
sceptre. 

The  new  king  makes  a  brief  impromptu  speech   in   which  he  bids 
the   dancing   continue  until  the   midnight  hour  (or  until  the 
time  specified  for  closing  of  the  party). 
Lights  burn  low — 

The  King  of  the  Bean  is  King  of  Twelfth  Xight  for  the  following 
year's  festivities.) 


[36] 


SOME  DESIRABLE   MATERIAL   FOR  SCHOOL 
AND  COMMUNITY  CHRISTMAS 

Note:  This  list  of  material  has  been  prepared  with 
a  view  of  suggesting  a  number  of  things  which  have 
special  artistic  merit  and  spiritual  significance.  The 
Bureau  will  be  very  glad  to  supply  a  list  of  additional 
material  of  purely  entertainment  value. 

The  Nativity  Douglas  Hyde 

A  very  beautiful  short  Christmas  play  published  in 
a  volume  entitled  Poets  and  Dreamers,  by  Lady  Gregory, 
now  out  of  print.     Copy  of  the  play  and  directions  for 
•   costuming    and    production    can    be    supplied   by     the 
Bureau. 

^  Why  the  Chimes  Rang  Elizabefh  A.  McFadden 

An  effective  dramatization  of  the  story  by  that  name. 
Last  half  of  the  play  is  pantomime,  the  effect  depend- 
ing upon  the  lovely  soft  music  by  unseen  singers.  Time 
about  thirty  minutes.  Full  directions  for  production 
contained  in  book.  Royalty  fee  of  $5,  but  well  worth 
it.  May  be  given  by  children  or  young  people.  Pub- 
lished by  Samuel  French,  28  and  30  West  38th  Street, 
New  York. 

Eager  Heart  A.  M.  Buckton 

A  beautiful  and  impressive  modern  mystery  play. 
Demands  careful  preparation  and  good  musical  talent 
for  an  adequate  production.  Directions  for  costuming 
can  be  supplied  by  the  Bureau.  Permission  to  produce 
must  be  obtained  from  Chappell  &  Co.,  Publishers,  New 
York. 

[37] 


Christmas  jMorn  Burgmein 

A  pageant-like  performance  accompanied  by  piano 
and  unison  singing.  It  may  be  done  simply  with  few 
people  or  on  a  very  large  scale.  Fine  for  school  or 
Sunday  school  use.  Published  by  Ricordi,  Music  Pub- 
lishers, New  York. 

The  Christmas  Guest  and 

On  Christmas  Eve  Mackay 

Two  charming  plays  for  children  found  in  The  House 
of  the  Heart,  published  by  Henry  Holt,  New  York. 
Suitable  for  very  small  children. 

My  Lady's  Yuletide  Meak  &  Perkins 

A  play  for  young  people  making  use  of  the  tradi- 
tional customs  of  the  old  English  Christmas.  Pub- 
lished by  the  Drama  League  of  Chicago,  Fine  Arts 
Building,  Chicago. 


\ 


The  Christ-Child  In  Art,  Story,  and  Song         Hofer^' 

This  beautiful  Christmas  entertainment  is  sometimes 
called  the  Children's  IMessiah.  It  makes  an  interesting 
use  of  singing  by  a  chorus  of  children,  stereopticon  pic- 
tures, and  stories.  The  nlides  for  this  entertainment 
may  be  obtained  from  the  Bureau  of  Visual  Instruction, 
Extension  Division,  University  of  Wisconsin.  Pub- 
lished by  Clayton  F.  Sununy  Co.,  Chicago. 

Christmas  in  Merrie  Old  England  Hofer 

Entertainiuent  consisting  of  old  carols,  dances,  and 
a  masque.  Published  by  Clayton  F.  Summy  Co., 
Chicago. 

The  Story  of  Bethlehem  Hofer 

A    play    in    pantomime    with    nmsic.     Three    scenes 

showing  the  hills  of  Judea  ;  the  coming  of  the  shepherds 

[38] 


and  the   wise   men;    and   the   nativity.     Published   by 
Clayton  F.  Summy  Co.,  Chicago. 

Christmas  Songs  of  ^Iany  Nations 

Katherine  Wallace  Davis 
May  be  used  by  children  in  costume.     The  Bureau 
will  be  glad  to  supply  directions  for  a  special  use  of  this 
material   which   is   both   attractive   and  unique.     Pub- 
lished by  Clayton  F.  Summy  Co.,  Chicago. 

Bethlehem's  Story  KoJilsaat 

A  Christmas  service  of  scripture  and  song.  Pub- 
lished by  Clayton  F.  Summy  Co.,  Chicago. 

The  Birth  of  Christ  Mrs.  Croshy  Adams 

A  cantata  for  church  or  school,  suitable  for  voices 
,if  children  or  adults.  Published  by  Clayton  F.  Summy 
( "o.,  Chicago. 

The  Holy  Child  TJiomas  Adams 

A  surpassingly  beautiful  cantata  for  children 's  voices. 
It  can  easily  be  sung,  with  the  exception  of  the  final 
chorus  which  requires  a  few  changed  voices,  by  children 
from  ten  to  twelve  years  of  age.  Published  by  H.  W. 
Gray  Co.,  New  York. 

The  Evergreen  Tree 

Percy  Mackaye  &  Ai^thur  Farwell 
A  Christmas  Community  Masque  of  the  Tree  of  Light 
for  community  singing  and  acting.  Adaptable  to  large 
and  small  communities.  Mascjue  published  by  D.  Ap- 
pleton.  New  York.  Music  published  by  The  John 
Church  Co.,  New  York.  The  Bureau  will  be  glad  to 
give  suggestions  as  to  the  production  of  this  work. 

[3^9] 


BULLETIN    OF    THE    UNIVERSITY   OF    WISCONSIN 
November,    1919 

[ssued   montlily   by  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  at  I 

Entered   as  second-class  matter,  July   11,   1916,   at   i 

at  Madison,    Wis.,   under   the   Act   of  August   1 


Jk^  /»-- 


[40] 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THK  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 

AN  INITIAL  FINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED   FOR   FAILURE  TO   RETURN 
THIS    BOOK  ON   THE   DATE   DUE.   THE   PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  SO  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY    AND    TO    $1.00    ON    THE    SEVENTH     DAY 
OVERDUE. 

JUL   ]9    193 

5 

JUL  20  193( 

\ 

prfk     r%   ^Q/L'1 

I'Clf     ?f    iW%i 

ISDec  54^11 

.  . 

lBNnv'55HJ 

' 

LD  21-95m-7,'37 

-v.'' 


51830 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CAUFORNIA  LIBRARY 


